Kenny Dalglish has held his hands up and admitted Andy Carroll’s slow start at Liverpool was his fault.

Carroll has managed just two goals in 11 appearances since his record £35million move from Newcastle in January, and Reds manager Dalglish admits he was “unkind” in rushing the big striker back from injury.

The England international arrived at Anfield carrying a thigh problem which delayed his debut until March, then hurt a knee a month later.

That injury, which blighted the rest of his campaign, came just six days after his best performance in a Reds shirt - when he scored twice in a win over Manchester City.

Dalglish says he should have held Carroll back to make sure he had totally recovered before throwing him into action again.

“Andy’s fitness is an improvement since last season, because he was never really fit when he came here,” said the Liverpool manager.

“We pushed him in probably earlier than we should have last season and it wasn’t particularly fair on him.

“We were a wee bit unkind on him and asked a bit too much of him. This season he certainly looks a lot fitter.

“Andy is just 22. Every time he’ll play, people will ask if that’s the best he can be. But you never stop, you always want to improve.

"The best time to judge him will be when he’s fully fit.”

After coming through pre-season without a hitch, Carroll is finally fully fit and Dalglish has started him in both Liverpool’s Premier League games so far.

The Scot has also rebuilt his team and to get the best out of Carroll, bringing in left-back Jose Enrique, winger Stewart Downing and dead-ball specialist Charlie Adam to supply him.

And with Luis Suarez playing alongside him, everything is geared up for Carroll to succeed.

It is now up to the 6ft 4in tall hitman to deliver.

Enrique is confident his old Newcastle team-mate will live up to his hefty pricetag, after watching him bag 11 Premier League goals for the Toon in the first half of last season.

The Spaniard has promised to work with Downing to provide Carroll with a reliable service from the left.

“Stewart is a very good player, who is very quick and good with both feet,” said Enrique.

“I always felt he was a very good player when I played against him for Newcastle, and I’m hoping we can play well together for Liverpool.

“I’m hoping we can provide some good service for Andy, who is a great English centre-forward. In the air, he is the best I have ever seen - almost unplayable.

“When the game is maybe a little bit frustrating, because you can’t score a goal, you can cross to him and he can score from anywhere.

“Andy was brilliant like that at Newcastle.

"Last season he had injuries, but this season he has played all of pre-season. Of course, I think he can be brilliant for us too.

“If Andy is 100 per cent fit and on top of his game, he will be a very important player for us.”